Container



H. L. MYERS May 30, 1939.

GONTAI NER Filed June s, 193e 2 sheets-sheet 1 May 30, 1939.

H. L. MYERS y CONTAINER v Filed June I5, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 d R6 f\ 0mm f y 7 Qir N a HU 1M 5g a o 3 2 L 2 a 2 J 3 MJ o T a, a n@ ,j 4. W2 Yo0 B 2 OAW/ Mw :alii: Q @Q M O A@ f M ATTORNEYS Patented May 30, 1939UNITED STA-TES PATENT OFFICE v coziurln l I 6 Claims.

The invention relates to containers for articles of merchandise and hasfor its object to provide a container constructed in a novel manner toconstitute an efficient holder or` package in which the articles ofmerchandise may be sold, stored and shipped and which further isarranged to.

serve as a display device whereby said articles may beattractivelydisplayed for sale. The invention contemplates further theprovision of a container which in its initial condition is of at shapefor easy storage and shipment and is adapted to be folded or adjusted toan operative condition in asimple and easy manner without the necessityfor any complicated mechanism or any particular skill on the part oftheoperator. Other more specic objects will appear from the descriptionhereinafter and the features` of novelty will be pointed out in theclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, which show an example of the inventionwithout dening its limits, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the containerin the form of a package; Fig. 2 is a sectional View on the line 2 2 ofFig. 1,' Fig.l 3 is a perspective view of the container adjusted to theform of a display device; Fig. 4 is a sectional 'View on the line 4 4 ofFig. 3; Fig. 5 is'a fragmentary section on the line 5 5 Adf Fig. 4; Fig.6 is a fragmentary perspective of the container in a partly set upcondition; Figs. 7 and 8 are face views of the blanks from which thenovel container.is constructed, and Fig. 9 is a face view showingthetwo' blanks of Figs. '7 and 8 combined with each otherandillustrating the container in its flat shape prior to being folded orset up for use.

In its illustrated form the novel container before being assembled andfolded into its nal shape comprisesthe main blank A shown in Fig. 7 andthe auxiliary blank B shown in Fig. 8. The main blank A consists of amajor section or outside rear panel I Il foldably connected'along ascore line II with an outside bottom panel I2 which in turn is foldablyconnected along a score line I3 with an outside front panel I4. Thelatter in turn is foldably connected along a score line I5 with aninside front panel I6 which itself is foldably connected along a scoreline I'I with an inside bottom panel I8. An auxiliary section or insiderear'panel I9 is foldably connected with the inside bottom panel I8along a score line 20; as illustrated in Fig. 7 the inside rear panel I9preferably is slightlyk less yin transverseywidth than the majorsectionor outsiderear panel I0 and is of approximately the. same longitudinal(Cl. 20G- 44) dimension as said panel I0 for the purpose to be morefully set forth hereinafter.

At its opposite longitudinal edges the outside rear panel I0 is foldablyconnected with side members 2l along score 'lines 22` which, in theillustrated example, extend from the free edge of the panel III to thescore line II; as shown in Fig. 1 the side members 2| are preferablyprovided with'inclined outer edges 23 although this shaping of said sidemembers'2I is not arbitrarily necessary and may be changed if desired.Bottom flaps 24 are foldably connected with the side members 2| alongscore lines 25 which may comprise extensions of the previously mentionedscore line II as illustrated in Fig. 1; in addition locking tabs 26project outwardly from the side members 2l and are foldably connectedtherewith along score lines 21 which extend from the lower ends of theside edges23 to the score lines 25.

Asshown in Fig. 7 the panels IIJ, I2, I4, I6 and k 'verse dimensions andare located in conterminous relation to each other, and preferably areall of a .width corresponding approximately to 'the Width of the insiderear panel I9. The auxiliary blank of Fig. 8 is further provided with apredetermined number of slots'33 extending length- Wise of saidauxiliary blank and of predetermined length for thev purpose to be morefully described later on; in the illustrated example the slots 33 arepartly formed in the panel 32 and partly in the panel 30 or in otherwords extend across the score line 3|. 'I'he shape and transversedimensions of the slots 33 is dependent upon the type of fastening meansused in the device as will appear more fully hereinafter and in theillustrated example said slots 33 are acordingly of l rectangular form.The number of slots 33 in- A of Fig. 'I and the auxiliary blank--B ofFig. 8 in the form of the unit shown in Fig. 9, the inside front panelI6 is folded on the score line I5 into surface engagement with theoutside front panel I4 to thereby bring the inside bottom panel I8 andthe inside rear panel I9 into corresponding surface engagement with theoutside bottom panel I2 and the outside rear panel I II respectively; inthis condition the score line I1 registers with the score line I3 whilethe score line 20'is in registry with the score line II for the purposeto be more fully set forth hereinafter. The auxiliary blank B is nowinserted between the panels I0 and I9 in registry therewith after whichfastening devices such as wire staples 34 are driven through the panelsI9 and I0 to secure these panels in operative relation to each other andso as to pass through the slots 33 of the auxiliary blank B asillustrated in Fig. 9. At this stage the auxiliary blank B accordinglyis slidably mounted between the panels I9 and .I0 and is restricted inits sliding movements by the slots 33 in co-operation with the fasteningdevices 34.

It will be noted that the unit shown in Fig. 9 consisting of thecombined blanks A and B is absolutely flat and accordingly is capable ofbeing eiciently stored in relatively large quantities in limited spacesand likewise is adapted to be easily shipped in corresponding largequantities in packages of minimum dimensions.

To set up the unit shown in Fig. 9 in the form of the containerillustrated in Figs. -14 inclusive, the two bottom panels I2 and I8 arefolded on the registering score lines II and I1 into perpendicularhorizontal relation to the rear panels I9 and I0 after which the frontpanels I4 and I6 are folded on the registering score lines I3 and I'Iinto upright relation to the bottom panels I2 and I8, or in other words,in spaced parallel relation to the rear panels I9 and Ill. To facilitatethe further folding of the unit of Fig. 9 the bot'- tom flaps 24 arefirst preferably folded on the score lines 25 into surface engagementwith the side members 2I after which the latter are folded upon thescore lines 22 into perpendicular relation to the panel Ill and securedin this position by bending the locking tabs 26 upon the score lines 21and inserting said tabs 26 into the space between the front panels I4and I6; the fact that the inside rear panel I9 is of slightly less widththan the outside rear panel Ill enables the side members 2| to be foldedas described without interference, it being understood that thecorrespondingly lesser width of the auxiliary blank B also facilitatessuch folding of said side members 2I. After the latter have been ad- Ijusted and locked in place as described, the bottom flaps 24 are foldeddownwardly upon the score lines 25 into surface engagement with theinside bottom panel I8 so as to project toward each other as illustratedin Fig. 5. At this stage the container has the appearance illustrated inFig. 3 in which the auxiliary blank B projects upwardly beyond the rearpanels III and I9 and the side members 2| are locked in connection withthe front panels I4 and IB to rigidly fix the main blank A inthe form ofa container. The articles of merchandise for which the latter isdesigned may now be inserted into said container to the capacity thereofafter which the auxiliary blank B is pulled upwardly until the scoreline 3| registers with the upper edge of the inside rear panel I9. Theintermediate section 39 of the blank B is then folded on the score line3I to the horizontal position shown in Fig. 1 after which the mainsection 23 is folded downwardly on the score line 29 and insertedbetween the inside front panel I3 and the articles of merchandiseIlocated in the container. At this stage the latter appears asillustrated in Fig. 1 in which it will be noted that the auxiliary blankB constitutes a cover to enclose the contents of the container and toform a completely closed package of merchandise adapted to beefficiently stored and shipped.

When it is desired to display the articles of merchandise in thecontainer forsale or other disposal, the container may be adjusted tothe display position illustrated in Fig. 3 by withdrawing the mainsection 28 from its position between the inside front panel I3 and themerchandise in the container and then folding the main and intermediatesections 28 landl Il to an upright position. The auxiliary blank B inthis condition is then slidably moved downwardly between the inside rearpanel I9 and the outside rear panel I0 to a position' in which bothscore lines 29 and 3i are located below the upper edge of the outsiderear panel I0 with the score line 29 in proximity to the upper edges ofsaid rear panels I9 and III as illustrated in Fig. 3. The main section23 is thereby ilxed in the upright vertical position shown in Fig. 3 soas to project upwardly beyond the rear panels III and I9 and so as tocompletely expose the contents of the container and to permit thearticles of merchandise to be removed therefrom at will for purposes ofsale or other disposal. The sliding movemen'ts of the auxiliary blank Bare limited by the fastening devices 34 in co-operation with the slots33 and said auxiliary blank B is guided in such vertical movements bythe side members 2I and the rear panels I9 and I0 as will be apparent.By providing the inside surface of the main section 28 with suitableadvertising matter, this main seciion when occupying the verticalupright position shown in Fig. 3 may constitute an attractiveadvertising or display card setting forth information regarding thearticles of merchandise located in the container. v

The auxiliary blank B accordingly performs double function or in otherwords is arranged to serve as a cover or closure for the container toform a closed package and as an advertising device in the displayposition of the container. The latter in its entirety is of simpleconstruction and is capable of being readily folded and set up in theform. of an efficient container without requiring any complicatedmechanism or any particular skill on the part of the operator to effectthis result. The novel device may be constructed in any dimensions andin many different shapes dependent upon the articles of merchandise tobe accommodated in the container and in all of its forms provides notonly an eiiicient package for storage and shipment purposes but alsoprovides a display device whereby said articles of 'merchandise may bedisplayed for sale or other disposition in an attractive manner.

Various changes in the specific forms shown and described may be madewithin the` scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

I claim:

1. A device of the kind described comprising a plurality of panelsfoldable relatively to each other to form a container including outerand inner rear panels lying in surface relation to each other, anindependent member provided with spaced parallel slots and consisting offoldably connected sections slidably mounted between said outer andinner rear panels, said independent member being outwardly slidablerelatively to said container and foldable to constitute a cover thereforand being slidably adjustable to an upright position to constitute adisplay card, and fastening devices for fastening said' outer and innerrear panels together in surface relation and lo extending through saidslots for arresting the outwardly sliding movements of said independentmember.

2. A device of the kind described comprising a container consisting ofinner and outer front l5 panels foldably connected with and lying insurface relation to each other, bottom panels foldably connected witheach of said front panels respectively and lying in surface engagementwith each other, innerand outer rear panels foldably lo connected witheach of said bottom panels respectively and lying in surface relation toeach other, side members foldably connected with said outer rear paneland projecting toward said front panels, lockingjabs foldably connectedwith said u side members and extending between said front panels, bottomflaps foldably connected with said side members and lying in surfaceengagement with one of said bottom panels, means for fastening said rearpanels in said surface rela- .o tion, an independent member slidablymounted between said rear panels and adjustable relativelyto saidcontainer toconstitute a cover .therefor and to an upright positionrelatively to said container to constitute a display card, and means uony said independent member co-operating with said fastening means tolimit the sliding movements of said independent member.

3. A device of the kind described comprising .connected panels foldablerelatively to each other 40 to forma container in which two uprightpanels lie in surface relation to each other, an independent memberslidably mounted between said two upright panels in opposite surfacerelation thereto and entirely between opposite side edges 45 of saidupright panels, said independent member being adjustable outwardly andinwardly relatively to said upright panels and consisting of connectedsections foldable relatively Ato each other when said member is adjustedoutwardly, to form a cover for said container and 'held against relativefolding when said member is adjusted inwardly whereby one sectionthereof projects beyond said container in upright relation thereto,fastening Vmeans independent of any 55 foldable connection between saidtwo upright panels for fixing the latter in said surface relation, andmeans on said independent member cooperating with.said fastening meansfor arresting the outward adjustment of said independent member. 4. Adevice of the' kind described comprising connected` panels foldablerelatively to each other to form a container in which two uprightpanelsl lie in surface relation to each other, ,an inde- 'pendent memberslidably mounted between said two upright panels and adjustableoutwardly and inwardly relatively thereto, said independent member beingprovided: with at least one slot extending lengthwise thereof, andconsisting of connected sections foldable relatively to each other whensaid member isV adjusted outwardly, to form 5.

a cover for said container and held against relative vfolding when saidmember is adjusted inwardly whereby one section thereof projects beyondsaid container in upright relation thereto, and fastening meansextending transversely through the slot of said independent member forsecuring said two upright panels in saidv surface relation andco-operating with said slot to arrest the outward adjustment of saidindependent member.

5. A device of the kind described comprising a Acontainer consisting offoldably connected panels and includingatwo bottom panels and inner andouter rear panels foldably connected with each of -said bottom panelsrespectively and projecting 2O upwardly therefrom in surface relation toeach other, an independent member slidably mounted between said innerand outer rear panels land adjustable outwardly and inwardly relativelythereto, said independent member being provided with atleast onelengthwise extending slot and consistingof connected sections foldablerelatively to eachother when said member is adjusted outwardly, to forma cover for said container and held against relative folding when saidmem- 30 ber is adjusted inwardly whereby one section of said independentmember projects upwardly beyond said rear panels and is supportedthereby to constitute an upright display card, and a fastening deviceextending transversely through the slot of said independent member forsecuring said inner and outer rear panels in said surface relation toeach other and Aco-operating with said slot to arrest the outwardadjustment of said independent member.

6. .A device of the kind described comprising 40 ya container includingtwo upright panels in surface relation to each other, an independentmember slidably mounted between vsaid two upright panels in oppositesurface relation thereto and entirely between opposite side edges ofsaid up- 45 right panels, said independent member being adjustableoutwardly and inwardly relatively to said upright panels and consistingof connected sections foldable relatively to each other when said forsaid container and held against relative folding when said member isadjusted inwardlyr whereby one section thereof projects beyond sai Ncontainer in upright relation thereto, fastening 5 means extendingbetween said two upright panels and transversely across the sliding pathof said independent member for securing said two upright panels in saidsurface relation, and means on said independent member co'operating with60 said fastening means without interference with the sliding movementsof said independent member to permit a predetermined limited outwardadjustment of said member.

member is adjusted outwardly, to form a` cover/,

HAROLD L.

